Improvement in mattresses



TQBUBDICL Mattresses.

No.147,366, Patentedfabwmam lll .iv/rf. I

UNITED STATES PATENT QEEIGE.

THEonoEE Bunnrox, on CEDAR EALLs, IowA.

IMPRVEMENT IN MATTRESSES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 147,366, dated February l0, 1874 application filed February 2, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, TnEoDonE BURDIOK, of Cedar Falls, in the county of Black Hawk and State of Iowa, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Mattresses; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings making a part of this specification and to the letters and iiguresof reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawing is a representation of a horizontal section of my mattress. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the same. l y

My invention relates to mattresses; and consists in a novel construction thereof by means of woolen or wool'and-cotton batts formed into rolls and arranged in layers at right angles with each other, as hereinafter speeilied.

A of the drawings represents a batt formed of woolen shoddy, or a mixture of wool and cotton shoddy, formed into a roll. Inconstructing my mattress, I arrange a series of these batts side by side, cach formed into a roll or coil, as shown. I prefer to make each roll of a length required to form in one ease the full length of the mattress, and in the other the width thereof-that is to say, I prefer tomake them either about six feet or four feet in length, but, inasmuch as the dimensions of mattresses are varied, I have no arbitrary rule upon that point. After a series of these rolls or coils of batts is arranged side by side of sufficient length to form either the longitudinal or trans verse foundation of the mattress, I form another layer of the same rolls, but of different lengths, upon said foundation layer, and at right angles therewith. This process is then repeated, each successive layer being arranged at right angles with the one immediately under it, until the mattress has assumed sufficient thickness. I `then cover the entire mass with asuitable coyer or tick, or rather inclose it in a tick, and the mattress is ready for use.

In this construction I prefer shoddy formed of wool only; but I find upon experiment that if a slight admixture of cotton is admitted into the batts, the mattress still possesses great value. Shoddy formed of satinet goods, while not as valuable as that made from cloth in which there is no cot-ton whatever, is found to give considerable elasticity and is quite durable. The best material, however, which I have discovered is constructed of pure woolen batts of shoddy. In these the curl of the wool always supplies the elasticity required, and, when formed into rolls and arranged at right angles, as described, is not liable to pack and become inelastic, like cotton or other materials having `long straight bers.

I am aware that shoddy has been used in the manufacture of mattresses, both in a loose, free condition and in bunches; but, when used in either manner, the elasticity which I secure by the coils is always wanting'. By adopting my method of construction the mattress, when old or partially hardened and packed by use, may be readily restored to its original elasticity by unrolling the coils and giving the batts a gentle shaking. It is also obvious that, for purposes of cleaning, my mode of construction possesses great advantages.

I do not claim, broadly, the employment ot' shoddy in the manufacture of mattresses 5 but That I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The mattress herein described, constructed. of woolcn or woolenand-cotton batts formed of shoddy and arranged in layers at right angles, substantially as spccied.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence ot' two witnesses.

TH'EODORE BIIRDICK.

Tfitnesses:

PHIL. C. MAsI, GEORGE E. UrnAn. 

